Jelic ready for must-win

Perth striker Branko Jelic believes he'll be fit and firing for the Glory's high stakes trip across the Tasman to take on Wellington Phoenix this weekend.

Perth striker Branko Jelic believes he'll be fit and firing for the Glory's high stakes trip across the Tasman to take on Wellington Phoenix this weekend.

The Serbian forward was a late withdrawal from the Glory side that lost 2-1 to Melbourne last Sunday after being hit by a stomach virus the night before the match.

Perth skipper Jacob Burns made the team after having the virus earlier in the week, but Jelic's absence was a major blow to the Glory's chances of winning, especially as he scored twice in the win over Melbourne the last time the sides met in Round 4.

Coming off two away losses, Jelic said he was painfully aware just how important the Melbourne match was to get some winning momentum back, but felt he would have been a weak link in the squad if he'd kitted up.

"It was unbelievable, unbelievably (bad)," said Jelic when asked how he felt telling coach Dave Mitchell he couldn't play.

"Two, three hours I think, 'call or no call, call or no call'. But I'm experienced enough, so I have to think what is best for the team and do what is best for the team."

"The night before the game, I felt very bad and I didn't sleep. In the morning, the physio came to my home and gave me some tablets and after two hours I feel better and maybe I think, 'aha okay I can play'."

"But again about 12 noon, I feel bad and again throw up, so I'm afraid that maybe I will bring the virus into the dressing room, so I think it's better to stay home."

"(So) I'm 99 percent sure I will play this week, 'cause now I feel well. I think the virus has passed and I'll have had enough time for training, (but) the coach will decide what I do," he said.

In Jelic's absence, fellow striker Eugene Dadi started on the pitch but left it a frustrated figure in the 73rd minute, having come agonisingly close to scoring twice during the first half.

Coach Mitchell, a fellow striker himself, has already defended Dadi's frustrated reaction to being substituted late in the second half, with Jelic also going in to bat for his team-mate.

"From what I see on TV, he was just frustrated because he was in the game and maybe he wanted to give his best and the coach has another opinion," Jelic said.

"But you know for me it's football, if he doesn't care what happens it's no good."

"Also if you show some negative frustration it's also no good, but I think he was just caught in the moment and was unhappy."

"I haven't spoken with him, but I know he's a very experienced player and he knows very well what he's capable of."

Jelic's inclusion will be a timely boost for a Glory side desperate to get a win on the board ahead of having a week off for the FIFA match-day break.

Although Wellington smashed Gold Coast United 6-0 last time it played at Westpac Stadium, the Glory players are hoping a deferred midweek clash with Newcastle will take the spring out of the Phoenix legs.